Everything on model trains, model railroads, model railways, locomotives, model train layouts, scenery, wiring, DCC and more. Enjoy the world's best hobby... model railroading!
HO Modular Railroad Question
Here is a question submitted by a reader regarding building a modular railroad.
If you wish to contribute your answer and share your ideas, simply click the comments link below and follow the simple instructions.
Here is what the reader has to say:
“I am about to start building a modular railroad. I planned on using a couple of dowels for lining up the modules together with hooks and eyes to keep the modules separating, or using flat or bent brackets with bolts and wing nuts in order to prevent movement. So far it has worked efficiently on my n-scale train.”
“I am about to build an HO scale modular set with 4 modules (due to space) and have been advised not to use dowels, but rather BRASS door slidingbolts. Is this a good way? What I am trying to describe is what is placed on the inside of a door to keep it closed and locked. It is NOT the mechanism wherein a key is required. Have your readers got any ideas on the matter?”
To offer a suggestion simply click the comments tag below and follow the simple instructions.
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota Model Railroad Hobby Groups
Here is a list of model railroading clubs in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota:
Pennsylvania
Track2, Allegheny Northern Railroad Club, Capital PenNScalers Harrisburg, Williamsport North Branch Railroad Historical Society Hughesville, Carnegie Mellon Railroad Club Pittsburgh, The AMRS Hazleton, Chelten Hills Model Railroad Club Elkins Park, DARN NTRAK, East Penn Traction Club Philadelphia, GATSME Lines Fort Washington, Great All Saints Model Train Display Pittsburgh, Keystone N Trak model railroad club Kulpsville, Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society Mechanicsburg, Keystone Chapter of European Trains Enthusiasts Marietta, Lehigh Valley Large Scalers Lehigh Valley – Allentown, Lower Anthracite Model Railroad Club – Shamokin, McKeesport Model Railroad Club, Nazareth Area Society of Model Engineers Stockertown, North Penn S Gaugers Lansdale, Penn State Model Railroad Club University Park, Reading Society Of Model Engineers Reading, Southeastern Pennsylvania HO Modular Railroaders Willow Grove, St. Alban’s Railroad Fellowship Newtown Square, Strasburg Model Railroad Club Lancaster, Western Pennsylvania Railroad Society Hickory, Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum Gibsonia, Youngwood Historical & Railroad Museum Youngwood, Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island
Providence Model Railroad Club Providence, Rhode Island Central Railroad Providence, RI Providence.
South Dakota
James Valley Model RailRoad Association Aberdeen, South Dakota.
$1billion paid for two 50 year old Garratt locos
January 2008
A steam enthusiast from New Zealand recently paid one billion Zimbabwe dollars (approx USD$7,500) for two Garratt locomotives built for the Rhodesian Railways in 1953.
Until about ten years ago, the locomotives were in regular use and have been sitting around idle ever since. The Garratt’s were dismantled and shipped from Africa to New Zealand – a journey of three months.
It is expected to take two years to fully restore them and convert the locos from burning coal to oil.
Monticello Railway Museum Swithing Puzzle
You may have already read our last posting about the Monticello Railway Museum. We’ll, Ron who is associated with the Museum, has very kindly sent the following posting which I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading. Here is what Ron has to say about the Monticello Railway Museum layout…
“The 33 ft. X 7 ft. layout was planned to acquaint museum visitors with steam operations during the 1930s/40s. We operate it during the museum season’s special events and it features scale Lionel TMCC steam locomotives, heavyweight passenger trains, scale freight cars, and an 072 minimum radius.
A USRA 0-8-0 yard goat sorts cars in the small yard after breaking up trains or making up trains for the larger road locomotives. Layout operations are accomplished from Lionel’s CAB-1 hand-held remote control units, enabling visitors to view the layout from trackside along its entire length.
I designed the track plan on computer for Lionel Fastrack sectional track. To date, the layout contains an Atlas O #6910 turntable, an Atlas passenger station w/platform, a Heljan 2-stall engine house that doubles as a car shop, a smaller car shop, an Atlas interlocking tower, two Fastrack operating grade crossings, a Lionel operating switch tower, an MTH operating water tower, an MTH water column near the turntable, and John Allen’s Timesaver switching puzzle that visitors are encouraged to try to solve. (Attached are directions for playing the puzzle.)
Still to come are a 6-stall roundhouse, 2 coaling elevators, a sanding facility, 2 more sidings not shown on the track plan, various industries along sidings, a hillside w/tunnel portals, scenery, and a backdrop.”
Operating model train layout in operating rail car
The all-volunteer Monticello Railway Museum was founded in 1966 as “SPUR” (Society for the Preservation of Unretired Railfans).
Its goal at that time was to maintain and operate steam powered passenger train excursions. In 1969 the name was changed to the Monticello & Sangamon Valley Railroad Historical Society, Inc., and then in 1982 the name was again changed to the present day Monticello Railway Museum.
The museum offered the first train ride in 1972. Trains operate on both former Illinois Terminal and Illinois Central trackage. At the museum site, round trips depart from an Illinois Central depot, built in 1919 at Deland. In downtown Monticello, round trips depart from the 1899 Wabash depot.
Volunteers have begun building the Lionel 40’s layout in the storage compartment of the Illinois Central R.P.O. This photo (kindly supplied by Ron), shows the engine terminal without its future roundhouse on the 33-ft Lionel 40’s layout.
The Monticello Railway Museum is located off Interstate 72 at Market St. Exit 166. USA.
Model Layout Plan Question
Here is a question from “D” a newbie to model railroading from the UK. He would like feedback from experienced model railroaders to guide him with his new layout project. Can you offer some suggestions and ideas to help him?
Here is what he asks:
“I’m trying to come up with a theme for my layout; perhaps a Loco & marshallling yard. Maybe one or two viaducts, hills and trees, etc. As I am a complete newby to the model railway scene, perhaps your readers could point me in the right direction to find some affordable 2nd-hand hardware. I am planning to get my models, track, etc, a little at a time.”
“I have realised that this hobby will need some sort of commitment if it is to be successful.
Here is the approximate plan which I have designed of the room where the model railway will be. The overall dimentions of the room is: 10′ X 8′ approx. I am taking into consideration the amount of reach I’ll need all around, which is about 90cm. Controllers, etc, could be placed on a shelf situatuated beneath the layout.”
Here is the approximate plan which I have designed of the room where the model railway will be. The overall dimentions of the room is: 10′ X 8′ approx. I am taking into consideration the amount of reach I’ll need all around, which is about 90cm. Controllers, etc, could be placed on a shelf situatuated beneath the layout.”
“I have estimated that the access area in middle is less in area than than having access all around the layout.”
“What do your readers think? Is there anything else re. the room that I need to consider?”
The overall dimentions of the room is: 10′ X 8′ approx.
“Another question before I go; Is there an elite brand of model railroad or is Hornby ’00’ okay?”
If you can offer some suggestions for “D” simply click on the comment link below.
Selecting A Model Railroading Theme To Model
Model railroading offers so many different options, that it sometimes pays to stick with a theme. Perhaps select an historical era that you are interested in and then select your trains, building and scenery from that era. For example: a model train layout depicting California logging railroads in the 1920s might interest you.
Researching a railroading theme can be particularly enjoyable by adding to the fun and also making the model train layout seem more realistic.
Assuming you have a favorite period in railway history, then you might want to base your model railroad layout around that. The alternative is to cover a wider time frame for your model train layout. Think carefully about what time scale you want to model your train layout on.
Click the following link for more helpful model railroading tips and ideas.
Model Trains And Accessories – Watch Your Budget
When you’re in the model train hobby shop it can be very easy to blow your budget so it’s best to decide your limits before you shop. This will ensure that you don’t blow your budget when you spot that perfect (but very expensive) model train train set or accessory. Again it is matter of balancing ambition with realistic objectives.
The same considerations apply to how much time you can allocate to building your model train layout. Many a train layout has gone unfinished due to lack of time and money.
Buying a model trains and accessories is all about getting value for money without going overboard. When starting off you won’t need the most expensive model train set… but you shouldn’t buy a poor quality cheap train set from a discount store. You want pleasure from running your trains… not frustration.
Upgrading Your Model Train Layout
You can always add accessories and upgrade your model train set as you go along. Model railroading is the type of hobby that will progress as you progress.
A Model Train Hobbyist With A Different Outlook
How much time you invest in this hobby and what you purchase will also depend on your personality.
If you are someone who prefers more realism, then it is likely you’ll have different goals and different needs to someone who focuses mainly on maintaining and operating the trains.
Both people could invest just as much money (and time), but on different things.
So, there are no hard and fast rules, because model railroading is a hobby that can be adapted to meet the requirements of the individual. We’re all different!
Maintenance Crews Work On Trackage
When working on scenery ideas remember to carefully study photographs of prototype scenes. There is usually a lot of detail around the enginehouse area, but also remember to add details out along the main, including battery boxes by the signals, yard limit signs, telephone boxes, even a pile of boxes might add to the character and authenticity.
Remember too, there are often signs of maintenance being carried out on sections of the track. Track crews and their equipment can add considerable interest.
Add line shacks, bridge runouts with sand or water barrels, tool sheds, spare parts storage, track and turnout parts, piles of fishplates new ties. Details like these can all contribute to the feeling that real people are maintaining and running the trains over the tracks.
Model Train Shows In Australia 2007
If you live in Australia or are thinking of visiting Australia you might want to visit some of these Australian model train shows in 2007:
New South Wales – Australia
September, 2007
Liverpool
Australian Model Railway Association
CONTACT: +61 2 9567 1899
Queensland – Australia
September, 2007
Graceville
9am-5pm (Sat)9am-4pm (Sun)
B.R.M. Queensland.
Graceville Primary School, Oxley Road, Graceville.
CONTACT: +61 7 3374 2288
Queensland – Australia
October, 2007
Toowoomba
10am-5pm (Sat)
Closed (Sun)
Darling Downs Model Railway Club Inc.
DeMolay House, Margaret Street, Toowoomba.
WEBSITE: www.ddmrc.com
CONTACT: +61 7 4638 1408
South Australia
October 2007
Tonsley Park
9.30am – 5pm (Sat)
9.30am – 4pm (Sun)
Noarlunga Model Railroaders Inc.
Mitsubishi Entertainment Centre, 1284 South Road, Tonsley Park SA 5042
COST: Admission $5.00 (Adult), $2.00 (Children/Concession) $12.00 (Family)
WEBSITE: www.nmri.web1000.com
CONTACT: Events Coordinator, Box 707 Morphett Vale 5162
Over 20 layouts plus static displays, Free parking, Free Door prize and Colouring competition.
Queensland – Australia
November, 2007
Holland Park
9am – 6pm (Sat)
9am – 4pm (Sun)
Union Pacific Model railroad Club
Holland Park Bowls Club 49 Abbotsleigh Street, HOLLAND PARK, 4121.
Queensland – Australia
November, 2007
Carina9am – 6pm (Sat)
9am – 4pm (Sun)
All Gauge Model Railway Club, Zahel Street, Carina.
CONTACT: +61 7 3395 3200
New South Wales – Australia
October, 2007
RockdaleAustralian Model Railway Assoc, NSW Branch Inc.
Clubrooms, Chapel Lane, next to Council carpark
New South Wales – Australia
October, 2007
Guildford
Sydney N Scale Model Railway
Gate 13, 4 Palmer Street, Guildford.
New South Wales – Australia
October, 2007
Bowral
Berrima District Model Railway Club Inc
Bowral Memorial Hall
CONTACT:+61 2 4861 4032
New South Wales – Australia
November, 2007
Hornsby Heights
St Luke’s Railway Modellers 19th Annual Model Train Exhibition. St Luke’s Anglican Church, 155 Galston Road, Hornsby Heights.
New South Wales – Australia
November, 2007
Campbelltown
Macarther District Model Railway Club
Campbelltown Civic Hall, Cnr, Queen & Broughton Streets, Campbelltown.
New South Wales – Australia
November, 2007
KURRI KURRI
Ambulance Hall in Kurri Kurri, with use of the Guide and Church halls next door
New South Wales – Australia
November, 2007
Blackheath
RSL Hall, Cnr Bundarra and Station Streets, Blackheath
CONTACT: +61 2 4758 7005
New South Wales – Australia
November, 2007
Wagga Wagga
Sturt Public School, Lake Albert Road, Wagga Wagga
CONTACT: +61 2 6931 1644 (ah)
ALL YEAR
1st & 3rd Sundays, 10.00am – 4.00pm, every month.
Blue MountainsValley Heights Locomotive Depot Heritage Museum
Tusculam Road,Valley Heights.
Admission: $7 Adults, $15 Family, $5 Child, Children Under 5 free,$5 Seniors.
Contact: 02 4735 8601
For more model train club information.
Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma and Oregon Model Railroad Hobby Groups
Nevada
Southern Nevada N-Trakers, Clark County, Nevada.
North Carolina
Cape Fear Model Railroad Club Inc Wilmington, Carolina Coastal Railroaders New Bern, League Of Non Aligned Modelers Raleigh & Boone, Carolina Model Railroaders Greensboro, Hinkle’s Lionel Trains Lionel collector and operator in the Charlotte, Neuse River Valley Model Railroad Club Raleigh, North Raleigh Model Railroad Club Raleigh, Piedmont and Western Model Railroad Club Valdese, Sipping and Switching Society of North Carolina Raleigh & Boone, Triad Live Steamers 7.5″ gauge Live Steam Club Farmington, Waynesborough Model Railroad Club Goldsboro, Wilson Area Railroad Modelers Inc. Wilson, NC.
Ohio
Burning River ‘N’ Society Cleveland, C.A.N.S. (Columbus Area N Scalers) Columbus, Central Ohio Model Railroad Club Columbus, Central Ohio N-Trak Columbus, Carillon Park Rail & Steam Society Dayton, Central Ohio S Gaugers Columbus, Cooke Road Train Crew Columbus, Crossroads Railroad Club Vandalia – Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley S Gauge Association Cleveland, Cuyahoga Valley and West Shore Model Railroad Club Olmsted Falls, Greater Cincinnati Garden Railway Society, The Hocking Valley Model Railroaders Lancaster, Janis Junction Model Railroad Club Columbus, Lake Shore Live Steamers Cleveland, North Coast N-scalers, Pittsburgh & Ohio Northern Railroad Club Ada, The Sebring Model Railroad Club Sebring, Swanton area railroad and model club inc. swanton, Travelin’ Trainmen of North Central Ohio North Central Ohio, Tri-State NTRAK Cincinnati, Youngstown Model Railroad Club Youngstown, Ohio.
Oklahoma
Central Oklahoma Model Railroad Club Oklahoma City, Claremore and Southern Railroad Club Claremore, Grenn Country Model Railroaders Green Country Model Railroad Assoc. Oklahoma, Locomotive Operators of Central Oklahoma, Northeast Oklahoma N Scale Tulsa, Oklahoma O Scalers Oklahoma City – Oklahoma, North Central Oklahoma Rail Road Club Ponca City, SouthWest Oklahoma Railroad Association Duncan, Southwestern Live Steamers.
Oregon
Aloha and Western Oregon Lines HO Model Railroad Club Aloha, Columbia Gorge Model Railroad Club Portland, Corvallis Society of Model Engineers Adair Village, Greater Portland LEGO Railroaders Portland, Over The Hill Live Steamers Chiloquin, Pacific Northwest Division of the Toy Train Operating Society Seattle & Portland, Rose City Garden Railway Society – Portland, South Coast Model Railroaders North Bend – Oregon, Pacific Northwest Livesteamers Molalla, Train Mountain Railroad Museum Chiloquin, OR.
Easy Access To Your Model Railroad Layout Big Advantage With Derailments
Plan your model railroad layout to be easily accessible, so that you can quickly and easily fix problems.
What can go wrong? Regardless of how good your model railroad trackwork is – train derailments still happen.
Sometimes model train derailments are caused by a super-light flatcar being shoved behind a heavy boxcar, or a hopper with out-of-gauge wheelsets somewhere waiting to pick a switchpoint or be forced off the train track.
Model railroad layouts with S-curves can be a hazard for passenger cars. As well as train derailments, locomotives stall on spots of dirty track, or on turnouts that have insulated frogs.
None of these things are much of a problem as long as you can reach the spot of the accident. The trouble starts when you locate tracks and turnouts on your model railroad layout that are outside your reach.
On paper the placing of a critical turnout 36” or more from the layout edge doesn’t seem like a problem, but once the yard starts to operate, it can become your biggest headache.
For more model railroading tips on avoiding derailments.
Deciding Grades For Rising Track
A common question from model railroaders is how steep to make the slope of a track before having problems with derailments, burning out the motor, or poor wheel traction.
Rule of thumb means generally anything over a 3% slope (3 inch rise in 100 inches run) is going to cause a problem for trains.
Approximately 2ft of run is needed for a 3/4″ rise. That provides roughly a 3% grade. If you are prepared to run shorter trains, then you can go steeper than that.
The danger is in burning out the motor if the locomotive has to work to hard to pull the train up the grade. Traction tires make it possible to run longer trains up steeper grades, but remember the risk of burning out the motor.
You can also go steeper on a short grade where less than the full length of the train is likely to be on the grade.
However, if you want your trains to have the longest run then it is usually best to make the grade as gentle as possible.
Another little model railroad tip relates to curves. If the grade is on a curve, make the grade less steep. This is because the curve adds drag.
Clearances for Model Railroad Tracks
As with the prototype, model railroad tracks pass various types of scenery, including platforms and buildings, and cross over or join other tracks. To do this properly, without causing grief to the railroad company, a set of clearance standards are applied to the area around the track.
Sometimes when railroad companies merge, the clearance standards for the merging companies are different, and so a new set of clearance standards needs to be reached. This may mean cuttings need to be made wider, new tunnels may have to be cut, curves may have to be made broader, sidings may have to be moved, and signals and signs relocated.
For the model railroader the situation is similar, but with a little careful planning we can escape the clearance problems of railroad companies. We need to have a set of clearance standards to help us lay our track, and build scenery around that track. The clearance standards we set for ourselves should take into consideration the following:
- Length of rollingstock you want to operate
- Height of rollingstock you want to operate
- Width of rollingstock you want to operate
- Space between tracks or scenery objects to allow you to pick up a derailed car etc, without causing damage
- Available space vs desired track arrangement
My ebook has more helpful model railroad tips for you.
Why Some Model Railroaders Prefer To Stay Small
The scale you model is usually dependant on the space you have available. However, there are advantages in building a smaller model railroad layout even if you do have plenty of space available.
A big advantage is that a smaller model railroad layout can be fully developed far more quickly than a larger model. Building a smaller layout means the investment in both time and materials is much smaller than for a larger model railroad layout.
Building a small layout means you won’t have to wait as long to see the finished result. As a result, you are probably less likely to give up or lose interest part way through the project.
If you do make major mistakes during the construction process then the cost of wasted time and materials will be much less than would be the case with a large layout.
Finishing the layout earlier may mean that you are ready to start a new (perhaps bigger) project much sooner. It really depends on you, and what you want from the hobby. We are all different and biggest is not always best.
Is WD-40 Suitable For Model Trains?
Here is a question from a Model Railroader in Victoria Australia. Bob wants to know “Can I use WD-40 to lubricate the gears on my locomotives? Could I also use use WD-40 for oiling the tracks and trucks on the freight cars?”
Bob tells me that he has already used it and it seems to work well on all the moving parts. He is also using it for maintaining a smooth running track.
Firstly, just to put one thing right, WD40 doesn’t stand for “War Department 1940” as some people think. WD40 is short for “Water Displacement, 40th attempt”.
WD40 was developed by Norm Larsen an employee of the Rocket Chemical Company in 1953. Larsen developed WD40 to prevent corrosion and eliminate water on electrical circuitry.
Now for my answer to Bob’s question. WD40 is basically a penetrating oil (cleaner, lubricant and anti-corrosive solution) in spray form. I personally think using WD40 on, or near, anything plastic could be risky. WD40 can cause “crazing” or surface deterioration of many plastic materials.
Uses for WD40 around the home and automobile include:
- Loosening tight or rusty nuts and screws
- Spraying on hand tools to protect against rust
- Cleaning door locks and hinges on cars and around the house
The material safety data sheet lists the main ingredients as:
- 50% Stoddard solvent (mineral spirits/dry cleaning solvent)
- 25% Liquefied Petroleum Gas
- 15% Light lubricating oil
Model Railroad Term HOn3 Explained
Those new to the hobby (and some of us oldies) can get easily confused with the many railroad terms used. The use of a lower case letter and a number when referring to model railroad scales is type of thing that creates confusion.
An example is the model railroad term HOn3.
In the case of HOn3 it describes the modeling scale and also the track gauge used for a particular model pike. The “n” refers to narrow gauge and in the case of HOn3 the 3 represents three feet. (Standard gauge track has rails 4’8-1/2″ apart.)
Other variations include Gn3, On3, HOn2-1/2, and Nn3.
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